van buren



1,636,653 y 1927- E. M. VAN BUREN.

TRAFFIC LIGHT Filed March 4, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 RA N HHHH' E mph. (as

IN VEN TOR M A TTORNE Y v 1,636,653 July 1927' E. M. VAN BUREN TRAFFIC LIGHT Filed March 4, 1924 2 Sheets$heet 2 77 [N VEN TOR Elmerlll%mzzre2 M A TTORNE Y Patented July 19, 1927.

UNITED STATES ELMER M. VAN BUREN, F BBONXVILLE, NEW YORK.

. a TRAFFIC LIGHT.

Application filed March 4, 1924. Serial No. 696,723.

My present invention is shown as embodied in a highway traffic light of the type intended to warn, signal or direct traflic by means of two-way, three-way or four-way 1 signal lights.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable and cheap construction and I arrangement, whereby the source of light tern be open, the top of the post naturally employed for the signaling beams may be utilized to produce also an effective downward illumination, preferably somewhat diffused so that when the lamp is mounted on a post or pedestal of usual or desired type, the post will be illuminated on all sides and will be practically shadowless. Preferably, the source of light is a single centrally located electric bulb having a high power filament or other luminous body of small mass which can be located substantially in the axis of a plurality of the horizontally projecting lenses. In cases where the lamp is symn'ietrically constructed and supported, as is highly desirable for artistic and structural reasons, this brings the source of light in alignment with the top of the post or pedestal whereon the lantern is mounted and in practice the source of light is of small size as compared with the top of the post. Hence, even though the bot-tom of the lancasts a dense shadow on the post, its pedestal and even for a substantial distance around the latter. j i y This is highly undesirable, because a light located at the proper height. even though it be operated as a flasher light to attract attention, may escape notice under adverse weather conditions and in any event gives no suflicient warning of the size of the massive pedestal by which it. is customarily supported. Moreover, any warning'or instruction signs carried by the post are invisible unless special lighting is provided.

they are practically shadowless and preferably also eliminating the post shadow by employing a downward reflector which is symmetrically formed with respect to a vertical axis in which the post and'the luminous eleinent of the lamp is located. In certain cases this reflector may be an ordinary parabolic reflector with mirror reflecting surfaces,;such as is employed for ordinary head lights or search lights of automobiles. In such case a most intense downward light will result. Usually, however, this will be found undesirable, since an intensely illuminated area or field of light is blinding and renders it diiiicult to see other objects, particularly those beyond or near the intensely illuminated area. For these and other reasons, I prefer to provide the down ward reflector with a white reflecting surface rather than with an image-reflecting surface. In such case, the area of illumination and its intensity maybe predetermined by the axial depth of the reflector below the lightor may be adjusted by relative movement of reflector and lamp to bring the luminous source at any desired position along the axis of the reflector.

In the specific form shown, the mouth or open bottom ofthe reflector extends substantially below the level of the horizontal beams projected through the lenses and the reflector is provided with openings of suitable area and location through which the light radiates along the axes of the lenses. The area and location of the opening may be such that thereflector has the function of a lens diaphragm. i p

In certain cases the horizontal lens beams may be omitted since a properly arranged downward reflector lamp at the proper height, with awhite or diffuse reflecting surface, may be used to illuminate the pedestal posts and signs with a strong light which has no sharp shadows. r

The above and other features of my invention may be more fully understood from thefollowing description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the pedestal, .post and lantern, showing a desirable area of downward full illumination and also surrounding areas of penumbra or diminishing illumination i Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1; A

. Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing the lantern and it-swmount on the supporting post; a

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4, 4, Fig. 3, showing the skeleton support constituting the open bottom of the lantern; v

Fig:, 5 is a side: View oflfa modification.v In the particular form shown 1n Figs. 1

and 2, the support for the light comprises justfit the-,2-inch, socketpipe. Theipost tube,

6,; may be, say, 5 fee high and: carries at I V the upper end thereon the. lantern, 7,. provided with the coaxial, projector lenses, 8,9, adapted to project, more or lessdivergent beamswithin desired, limits indicatedby the lines 8,8 and 8,,8 in1 theone case,,andr 9, 9.

r and- 9, 9 in, the, other case, shown in Fig. 1, there may be a thirdnroiec l 10,, at right angles to the; axis; of 8, 9 and, as shown; in: Fig. 2, there.- may also be a fourth. 1ens,- r coaxia1 withj'l-Q; I The post, 6, ma carry, a suitable-sign as,

for instance, the; target, 13, with suitable legends, in this; case, Keepto the rightifletc. As indicated in Fig, 13, the; lantern isganranged, toiproject, light, downward: in such a way: as, to. effectively illuminate the post: 6, pedestal 1, and a desired surrounding area such, as would beused by atraflic; officer, when on; duty This light; indicated by the lines 7-", 7 and: 7,71", will not beas sharply defined assaifd line would:indicatathereheing a sunrou-nding jannulan zone of; desired extentin which; the illumination; is progressively less intense. Though this zone is-moreiorlhss indefinite, its possilile" extent: may be; indicated byhhG dotted lines 7, 7;*-and 7,, 7. chanactenistiefeature oiithe illumination wltht'he pneferned; fornr of -the 'device is" that the equaLillum-ination;,areasi are annular; that the illumination in, the'central; portion of the circle is uniform and. that: the areas of di3- minish-ing illumination are also annularr In this-way it: becomes safe; to havethe central area veryeffectively i-llu'minathd: without danger of'blinding the 'vision with! reference to points 1 beyond.- and near: the lighted," area.

A suitable constnuction forrt'helanterni 7, whereby. the above effectsmaybe produced, is illustrated inzFigsi 3zand'4; The casingand lateral lenses may be of any known-. or desirediconstnuction Asshown it; comprises a cylindrical shell, 17, which; may beof galvanized sheettirom or brass: having lens holders-:18, 1Q"for-lenses8,9.. Theibottomzby which 'it is supported on the pipe, 6,; con-r sistsi'o'f sheet metal anms,20;;20, radially-conflct n'gcfihisocket cylinder 2lz, with the case,

17.. In the special form-ishownin Fig.4, the

7 cylinder 21 is formed by integral extensions of the: arms, 20, each extension 'l'ior ming aquadrant of the cylinder, which is held to-.

geth-er by rivets 22, securing the overlapped ends of the extensions; The outer ends of arms, 20, have integral bent portions which aresecured by rivets, 23, to casing, 17. The top oft-he cylinder socketis formed by bent over portions, 24%, 24-,which engage the top end of the pipe 6. As will be noted, arms 20 taper, being very wide atrthe bases Where they join. socket 21:, so-that they have great I verticals strength though relativelylhin and Qfieltin'gvery little obstruction to downward light The, lamp bulb, 25, is supported. from above in such manner that its light radiat- 'ing element, 26, is substantially in] the axis of lenses, 8, 9,. and-also in. the axis of lenses,

11),, 111,, when. the latter are used. For purposesof my present invention elcment26 is 7 also, inthe axis of the pi.pe.6,and the casing 1.71.. The bulb, 25,. is secured in. socket-,2Z, mounted on an. insulated. support indicated as. a circular piece of wood,,28,, secured. by screws, 29,. 29, irradeep. flange, 36, which. fits theinterior of. casing, 17. Thisfiange isslm bentat the top and securcdby rivets, 3l,,to

atconicalv root or cover piece,:32.. The close fit of the deep flange 29 is suificient securing means for the cover but, additional latches may be used'if desired.

The meansfor downwardly vdilfusing- 'the 7 time, permitting proper illumination through the lenses, 8, 9,. 1s a reflector, 33,, supported by arms, 34, dependingirom; the roverlI18l11-' ber, 28-. The reflector, has central light from source, 26, while at "the. same axial opening,l35, through whichthe neck of the-lamp, 25, projects and side openings, 36,. through which the lightflshines onthe lenses-,8, 9,. The reflector extends downward. far enough" so that itslower edge covers t-he'lowermost portion 38, of the lens supports, 18, 19, thereby limitingthe light available for a iens beam toft'hat which shinesthrough the opening, 36 with the well known; effect oi'vrendering the latter beam more; definite; 7

ofr-the'lantern body; at 46, belowtlieinouth Of'tlle refi'ector'33, is'preterably utilized as reflector surface by having it painted or The reflector might: extend lower but i enamelled white, likelt-he inside ofthe' re fiector and in certain cases theentire inside of? the lantern body may; be 1 thus painted or, enamelled, inwhich case the reflector '33 could be omitted. Wherenthere are frmr lenses, however, they render considerable areaszoii the lanternibodyunavailable for reflectingpurposes and theu'se of areflector with; the much smaller openings-851's prefferable' for't'hisand various other reasons. i

The lamp socket: 27, maybe connected with; the-lighting circuit through wires, 40

.130. 41.1 As shown, these Wires, which extend llO "upward, are connected to binding postsbn a casing 45 which may contain a thermostatic flasher of the usual constri tion, The wires extend downward through slot 41.4,, in reflector 33 and to the open top oi post pipe, 6, thence through the interior oi port pipe, 6, and socket pipe, 4. to any suitable underground conduitleading from the lmttorn or the latter. Detachable couplings for the wires may be provided at suitable points, as for instance at 45, Fig. 3, or at the bot tom of the lantern or the top of socket pipe 4.

The interior of the lantern is readily accessible by simply lifting the cover which carries with it the bulb and the reflector so that it takes but a moment to renew the former or clean the latter.

As shown in Fig. 5, the upper support 28 may be carried by the base support 20, 21, 22, by means of uprights 20 20, terming a sort of cage. In such case, the body or": the lantern including cylinder l7, lens hold ers 8, 9, 10, 11. and the cover piece willv be a unitary shell with an open bottom so that it is removable and replaceable by sin1- ply sliding it vertically without: disturbing any of the parts that are carried by the cage. It may be detachably secured to the base ring by bolts, so that the shell becomes structurally rigid with the base and serves as protection for the cage and parts carried thereby.

I claim:

1. In a traiiic signal device, supporting post, an open bottomed lantern supported on the top of the post, a light source within the lantern, an open bottomed reflecting means mounted within the lantern and surrounding said light source for reflecting light downwardly in a cone of light about said post, and an opening in the reflecting means for permitting light from said source to be laterally projected. 4

2. In a trafiic signal. device, a supporting post, an open bottomed lantern centrally supported on the top of the post, a light source above said lantern positioned within the top of the post, an open bottomed refleeting means positioned within said lantern and surrounding said light source anl extending below said light source for reflecting light downwardly in a cone of light about said post and inwardly and an open ing in the reflecting means for permitting lateral projection of light from said light source.

3. In a traffic signal'device, a SaUPPOl't-lllfl post, an open bottomed lantern supported on the top of the post, a removable top on said lantern, a light source, an open b-ot-' tomed reflecting means surrounding said light source for reflectlng a cone or light downwardly about said post, means mounting said light source and said reflecting means in (1 re removable top, and an opening in the reflecting means for permitting lateral pro ection oi light from said light so urcc.

' ly in a cone of light about said post and iiiwardly. means mounting said light source and said reflecting means in the removable top, and an opening in the reflecting means for permitting lateral projection oi light from said light source.

5. in a tratlic signal device, a massive pedestal, a post thereon, an open bottomed lantern of greater diameter than the post centrally supported on the upper end of the post, a removable top for said lantern, a light stun-0e in the lantern in line with the axis oi? the post and of less diameter than the post, open bottomed reflecting means surrounding the light source and extending below said light source, and having the open bottom substantially concentric with the post tor reflecting light downwardly and inwardly, sine openings in said reflecting means -for permitting lateral projection of light beams from said light source, and means mounting said light source and said reflecting means in the removable top.

(3. In a trai'lic lantern, a casing, a. projector lens mounted therein, a source of light, means mounting said light source approxi mately in the axis of the lens and in the vertical axis of the casing, a central support, a base for the lantern comprising thin arms extendingfrom the casing to the central support, an open bottomed reflecting element mounted in the casing and surrounding the light source and having the open bottom substantially concentric with the central support, and extending below said light source, and having an opening adjacent the lens, whereby light is projected through the lens and reflected downwardly and inwardly.

7 In a traiiic lantern, a casing, a projector lens mounted therein, a source of light, means mountingsaid light source approximately in the axis of the lens and in the vertical, axis of the casing, a central support below said source, shading a substantial central area, an open work base for the lantern, extending from the casing to the central support, an open bottomed reflecting element mounted in the casing surrounding, and eI-Itending below the light source and having the open bottom substantially concentric with the central support.v and having an opening adjacent the lens, whereby light is projected through the lens and reflected downwardly. and inwardly to illuminate wvea-s which the central support shields from the'direet rays of the light source.

8. In a trafiic signal device, a post, and.

5 means supported above saidpost comprising a unitary source of light for throwing a, cone of light about said post and for pro ecting lateral light beams substantiallyat right angles to the axis of the post.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York, and State of New York, this 3nd day of March, A. D. 1924:.v V;

ELMER M. VAN BUREN." 

